me and becky 

Beth, Allison, and Allison's mom. Can you say plastic surgery? 

Meredity and Andrew - the bride and groom 

Rabun Gap in Clayton, GA 

You Gotta Take it Day by Day

Over the past several years, I have really become a morning person. This may be partly because my condo faces due East, and with all the glass it is nearly impossible to sleep in, even when I wear my "do not bother" eye mask from Tuesday Morning. For some reason, once I get up in the morning, I am ready to start the day, with or without a cup of coffee. That is why I enjoy working out in the morning, as I seem to have so much more energy at work. This morning, after working out on 5th street, I decided that a bike ride through Piedmont Park was in order. (despite the temperature reading on my car of 88 degrees at 5:15 am). It was during this ride that i realized how beautiful Piedmont Park really is. And what a great job they have done in renovating and maintaining this green space. As the sun was coming up, I pedaled down the different trails and streets, passing though some areas full of fragrance, many of which brought back memories of my childhood. The smell of cedar, magnolia, and Pine were all present in different places. People of all walks of life were out this early in the morning. And the sound of the crickets outside brought me back to summer camp when I was only 10 years old, laying in the bunk bed in my cabin....such great memories that almost went forgotten.

New music is on the way folks. With P-Town only about 4 weeks away, a CD compilation is in the making. This week marks the release of what will be a P-Town Signature Song indeed...though it will be heavily overplayed by the time we arrive. The Pussycat Dolls - Don't cha featuring a remix by Kaskade.....I can't wait to hear this.

Next up: The Mayor and I are going to piebar for dinna. Very interested in seeing this new space from the man behind One Midtown and Two Urban Licks.

Closer to Me

Weekend Update:

-Zocalo's 10th birthday party was fun. though I didn't win a gift certificate. instead, we had several pitchers of $48 margaritas.
-The Fantastic Four was a terrible movie....'nuff said.
-Love my new Mongoose mountain bike, now I can bike home from Willy's after dinner and margaritas. My dad says I can now get a "BUI".
-Brad can cook a mean spaghetti.
-Jambalaya from Fuzzy's is real good.

With so much new music out, it is time for a new CD or two.

Absolutely loving: Paul Van Dyk featuring Wayne Jackson - The Other Side (Deep Dish Other than This side remix). Male vocal, Male vocal, Male Vocal. Sounds like Michael Hutchence of INXS. Speaking of Deep Dish, they will both be spinning Wednesday at Eleven50. I wish I didn't have to work on Thursday, or I would be there.

And I know, What I feel, must be Natural.....

With PRIDE only a few days away, I have been very busy preparing music for the weekend. But let's rewind, shall we?

Spent Sunday afternoon at Shout helping Eric Cullenberg, our guest DJ from New York, set up for another afternoon of cocktails for a cause. He was very cute, and nice.....and for once I really wanted to stay and listen to his set. It would be my first Shout event on the other side of the table, a chance for me to relax, listen to some quality house music, and socialize. But, it was off to Scarietta for me with Father's Day card in hand.

I was greeted by a very hyper and excited niece, who latched on to me for the better part of an hour. Her first remark was, "Uncle John, you have wine breath". Neat. Every time I see Molly, it amazes me how smart she really is. This coming from a child who was speaking in complete sentences since the young age of two.

I always enjoy Sunday evening at my parents' as my Mom is an amazing cook. Plus, I always seem to make it home with leftovers, packed neatly in individual airtight containers, with her only request being that I manage to bring a few empty ones back with me on the next visit. Dinner on Sunday consisted of BBQ ribs, cole slaw, fresh potato salad, baked beans, and Key Lime Pie for desert.

I chuckled when my brother-in-law, Ken, asked my niece to say the blessing. She starts out, "God our Thater, Got our Thater, we thank you." She has no idea why we are laughing, and maybe one day soon she will. But it is cute nonetheless.

I made it back in to town for one last drink at Blake's before heading home to sleep. I can only imagine how packed that place will be next weekend. Let's just hope for descent weather.

TODT: Infusion - Natural. I forgot how great this track was until today. The follow-up to "Love and Imitation", this song features the instrumental of the former song paired with an excellent male vocal. Classy.

Ashley Olsen (in the younger years) and tipsy Uncle John 

Ken and Rosalyn 

Do we look alike? 

Mom and Rosalyn 

Molly C. and Uncle John 

Extacy

Well, it's Sunday and here is what happened over the weekend:

• The party for Carol on Friday night was fun. Beautiful home, beautiful people, amazing food. Spun until 1 am. I vaguely remember a stretch Lincoln Navigator limo arriving and taking us to the Pink Pony. But I do remember the cruisey hot straight boys inside.
• Spent much of the day Saturday with Diane.
• Dinner at Todd and Brad's last night was delightful. Orange-Soy braised short ribs, steamed broccoli, and spinach salad.
• The weather last night was gorgeous. And it is nearly July? Reminded me of P-Town.....

TOTD: Tommyboy and Sultan - Extacy. What a beautiful track.

Happy Father's Day y'all!

Doin' It and Doin' It and Doin' It well...

With Pride being only two weeks away, I have been busy assimilating music. Going through all of my records and CDs to find the type of music I want to play on Saturday night. Though I am spinning in the VIP lounge, Scott and I decided that lounge music was not in order there. Instead, I plan on playing some funky, groovy, progressive house. Not the tunes I play at Shout, but tracks that are a little darker and edgier. I love progressive house, and I have quite a collection in this genre. I have just been waiting for the right party and venue to present itself.....and it has. Hopefully, this will show my versatility....as a DJ.

TOTD - Deep Forrest - Sweet Lullaby (White Label) .....Simply beautiful...

Portobello

Great weekend it was. Short list as there is a lot of music to discuss. Here is what I remember:

• "Boccee Ball 2005" should have been called "Mind Eraser 2005".
• Went to the Yungle (as much as I didn't want to). Had a blast.
• Shout yesterday: beautiful weather and less than desirable turnout. Where are the frozen slushi machines?

As much as I love vocal and garage house, there is a part of me that really loves driving progressive basslines. Leaning away from tribal, I am talking about those tracks that are harder, but also have a groove. Shout simply isn't the venue or environment to throw down these songs, but Pride weekend is different. I will be spinning from 10pm-mid in the VIP lounge at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Here are some tracks that I am loving.

1.Tomas Barfod - Light Shine

2.Tommyboy & sultan - extacy

3.Andrew Bennett - Ocean Drive

4.Simon & Shaker - Freshness

5.Die Elfen - Boy

6.Moloko - Cannot Contain this (Tom Neville remix)

7.DJ Nick & Danny Chatelain - Con Tacto (David Ferrero Weekend Mix)

8.Deep Dish - Say Hello (Chus & Ceballos Remix)

9.Babe Instinct - Disco babes from outer space

10. Openair – Something to Live For (Stef Vrolijk & 16 Bit Lolitas)

Looking forward to hearing Echo & the bunnymen - Lips like sugar (Way Out West remix)

Also, check out Brett Mauro's new mix. A local DJ in Atlanta, his summer promo is amazing. Technically near perfect mixing, excellent track selection, and programmed very well. It can bedownloadedd here. It is the summer 2005 at the bottom of the page.

Thrills Pills and Daffodils

Last night, I anxiously tuned in to the first episode of the final season of Six Feet Under. And I wasn't disappointed, not one bit. The opening scene always intrigues me, as you know that one of the characters is going to die, however, you can never know the who and the how until it happens. And to be honest, it is usually totally unpredictable. Like being pelted (is that a word?)by frozen feces from an airplane, or sliced in half by an elevator that gets stuck between two floors. I guess the writers are showing the audience, that yes, people die from cancer, heart disease, trauma, etc, every day, but people are also killed in unexpected ways. some of which can be rather embarrassing to discuss.

Sure this is a dark show, and maybe it makes me feel like my life is really not that bad. not that I feel this way, of course. but it seems to touch on subjects that maybe we all can relate to in some way, though maybe not to such an extreme degree. and for this I find myself coming back each week.

'Cause I Ain't No Harlem Black Girl

A perfect weekend from start to finish. Stayed in on Friday night and had some 'me' time, which I rarely do on the weekend. I watched a few episodes of Six Feet Under in preparation for tonight's first episode of the final season of the show. I am only hoping it won't be too depressing, as that seems to be the avenue the writers have taken lately.

Hit the gym Sat. morning, and after a quick clean up around the house, I met my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and two cousins for lunch at Casa Grande. Always nice to catch up with family, especially those that you only see once or twice a year. Two (legal) swirls later, I decided that I really did need to purchase the duvet cover that was on sale at Bloomingdale's. Funny how easy that decision was, but I am happy with my purchase.

Saturday night, the mayor and I had dinner at Carroll Street Cafe. This was my first experience at this restaurant, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mussels were my favorite. I had the crab stuffed trout, and the mayor, well he had chicken...and I am not talking about the kind found in WetBar.

And then there was Sunday. JohnBrown had a small gathering at his house for lunch. Tammee was in town, so that was more than enough reason to celebrate. The BLTs were delicious, but my favorite thing was the vidalia onion pie. After a short monsoon, I headed over to Shout for my weekly gig. The Assistant arrived with gifts in hand, something he picked up on one of his many european travels. Guest appearance by Dale and Traci brought a big smile to my face. Then it was back to JohnBrown's for a little dance off in the living room.

Retro tune of the day: Newcleus - Jam on It. Released back in 1984, this was the big hit for me at my Breakdancing Birthday party. I heard this little number this past weekend for the first time in probably 10 years, and it brought back a lot of memories.

It's a Lack of Communication..

Last night, a group of friends gathered for dinner to send my friend Kevin off to San Francisco. Yes, he is moving out west and we thought it would be a nice way to say "so long" and "see you soon", as I do plan to visit. Especially since Beaux is out there as well. We started over at Jenny's new condo at the Block Lofts, where I consumed at least 3 glasses of wine. A short walk later and I was sitting at the bar at Two Urban Licks, where double-hair-pump-hot bartender was pouring me yet another glass of wine. He was broad-shoulder and stunning, and I was, well, horny. Though the food isn't excellent, the scene in Two is great. And I am not just talking about the big mural on the wall, I'm talking about Mr. Hands the waiter, and just about everyone else that works there. After a tasty swordfish entree and two thieves of red wine later, I found myself calling the Mayor and basically inviting myself over for a visit. He agreed and visit we did.

Now I felt fine at work today. sure, I could tell I had consumed some wine last night, and I attribute that feeling to the chewy tannins or sulfites or whatever is supposed to be in red wine. But I must have looked banged up, as one of the straight pacer reps. commented to me that I looked like I had partied all night. pretty.

Tune of the Day: Mardel - Situation. Coming out on Satoshi Tomiie's record label SAW recordings. Very nice female vocal.

The World is Mine

Last night, I joined the Out & About planning committee to discuss the future of our event. A very eclectic group of people gathered in the back room of Shout: original committee members, representatives from the restaurant, and members of the various charitable organizations that benefit from this event. Plus, there were two people present that have been in my top 5 crushes in Atlanta, so that was always nice, though they don't even know my name. Some interesting ideas were proposed with the main focus being to raise the most amount of money for the charities involved and hopefully meet our goal of $50,000 by the end of the summer.

The mayor and I left and headed over to grab a bite to eat in West Midtown. Who should I see when I enter the restaurant but 10 of my college girlfriends from UGA. They had gathered for a baby shower for my former girlfriend Jacie. Yes, Jacie was one of the last girls that I dated seriously before coming out. And there I was on a date. Ironic in a way...

Please Stop Twurlin' in My House....

What a weekend. And to think that I didn't have any solid plans, and everything just seemed to come together...without any preparation or planning.

Had a nice catch-up cocktail with Anthony and Kelli on Friday evening before heading over to Joel and Brad's for dinner. After a delightful salad with grilled chicken and a couple of glasses of Pinot Grigio, the gang rolled in. Next thing I knew I was surround by 20 of my friends, some who live out of town, and others who are only a stones throw away. Always nice to see Jeff Watts and his cute New Zealand boyfriend. We drank, we talked, we took pictures. Signature times indeed.

I dropped by Satellite Records on Saturday for a little record shopping, courtesy of Brett Long. I left with 10 pieces of high quality house on wax, and a $130 bill, but who's counting. Absolutely loving a little record I picked up from a record label in Madrid called Simon and Shaker - Freshness. Gives me chills every time I hear it. Summer anthem fo sho.

The cookout at R. Jones' was fun, once Joel and Brad arrived. The steaks were delightful, and Jolene's new signature salad was by far my favorite thing served. Headed over to Todd and Brad's for a goodbye cocktail as I was planning on a quiet evening, and the gang was on the way to the Heretic.

And then there was Sunday. The weather was rainy and almost chilly, but I persevered, and though we only had just over 100 people at Shout, I realized that most of the people there were my friends. And they were there to support me, which made me smile the entire time. We then headed over to the T-Dance at The Abbey, and I must admit that I was apprehensive about this event. Remembering my experience at this venue just two years ago: packed, 106 degrees, long lines for the bathroom, etc. Well, things were different this time around. The crowd was cute, the temperature was perfect, there were no lines for the bathroom And the music was great....until midnight. Again, without any planning, all of my friends seemed to converge on the dancefloor, and things just seemed right. I had an opportunity to spend some kwality time with Todd, and let my hair down with a certain Rob...not the assistant. I had a blast.

Though the weather was rainy today, the cookout at Jeffrey's went on without a hitch. After several beers and laughs about the prior evening (one being Bubba D. Licious leading his own sermon on the Pulpit at the Abbey for nearly 45 minutes), we chowed down on some ribs, grilled chicken, signature salad courtesy of Jolene, and baked beans. Sure it's hard to go back to work tomorrow after such as great weekend, but life goes on, right? Blake's anyone??




Me and Jolene

I saw Red. 

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen 

Jeff and his cute boyfriend Craig 

Bad angle, Bad angle... 

Yeah we did.... 

hey Cappy.. 

Ahh....Jolene 

Camera's ready, prepare to flash. 

Having drinks... 

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.....

This weekend marks the return of Jolene of H&H Lodge, Provincetown. Or is it Fort Ladeeda? I cannot remember....



Jolene

Welcome Home!

And the winner is....

I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the finale of American Idol last night. And it wasn't until about three or four weeks ago that I really started watching the show religiously. Part of the reason for my interest in the show has to do with how different the finalists were. But they were both really talented performers, each with a special gift: Carrie having the vocal range and Bo with the performances that left the audience on their feet. Todd and I decided against eating out and ordered Chinese and sipped on white wine. We were both pulling for Carrie, only making up my mind the night before when I heard her belt out the Martina McBride tune "Independence Day" to a packed crowd. That was one of my favorite songs back in college when I would go out "line dancing" wearing my Justin boots and a pair of Levis. Or maybe it was when I would alter my drivers license in high school and go dancing at the Crystal Chandelier, formerally a Wal-Mart in Kennesaw. That was a long time ago fo sho....

Haven't Been Funked Enough

Busy, busy weekend. That is all I can say. Here is what happened.

Friday night was the annual Fat Tuesday party at Rock Bottom brewery. This event started many years ago when the bar Fat Tuesday was still around, and after it closed, well, they just kept the name. The two biggest cardiology groups I work with fund the party, and it is an opportunity for everyone if the heart center to come together and eat, socialize, and basically...drink. After the trays of tequila shots started arriving, things got pretty wild. I left just as the digital camera was going around to take "cleavage shots". I wasn't wearing my padded wonder bra so I scooted out unnoticed.

I headed over to Mid City Cafe to have a drink and catch up with Jefferson. He and Brett were spinning and it was a nice way to end the evening.

Saturday I spun a party at the clubhouse of my condo for a friend who is moving to Orlando. Excellent food and nice crowd.

Saturday night I attended a going away party for Mr. McGinnis. The weather could not have been better, and I ran into a lot of old friends. Somewhere around midnight I took over as DJ and the next thing I know, I am dancing in the living room with Chris, Barclay, Erik, and Mr. Lex. Fun, fun, fun.

Another solid time was had by all on Sunday at Shout. We managed to avoid the rain, and the turnout was descent in my opinion. I received a lot of positive feedback on some new tunes I tried out. And I finished off the night with dinner at Einstein's with some of the boys.

Next up, Memorial Day in Atlanta.

TOTD: Big Bang Theory - Haven't Been Funked Enough (Seamus Haji Mix)...been feeling this way, I mean track lately.

It's All Gone Pete Tong

It's All Gone Pete Tong

I have been reading about a film that came out recently and can be seen at Atlanta's own Tara theater. Here is a plot summary:


Plot Summary for It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
Its All Gone Pete Tong is a comedy following the tragic life of legendary Frankie Wilde. The story takes us through Frankie's life from one of the best DJ's alive, through subsequent battle with a hearing disorder, culminating in his mysterious disappearance from the scene. A genius in his own right, he clawed his way to the top of the DJ ranks, now living the opulent life of a superstar, he resides in his trophy villa in Ibiza with his trophy wife. This is when tragedy hits. Born with a hearing disorder he is rapidly going deaf with only one functioning ear to complete the new Ibiza season. How is he doing behind the decks? Horrible. How is he doing in the studio where he produces his remixes? Frankie dives into a low period, struggling with deafness in utter depression. After a year of locking himself away he emerges on the other side with a fresh attitude towards his affliction. He accepts his deafness and learns to function without sound. Will Frankie make it back to the DJ booth? Will his new single be any good? Will he get back his opulent old life or does he even want it back? When you can't hear, things look very different

When most people hear the title of this film, they immediately think of the superstar house DJ Pete Tong, often heard hosting the Essential Mix on the UK's Radio 1. Turns out, it isn't a film about Pete, and many American will have a difficult time understanding what the title means.

Pete Tong is Cockney rhyming slang for wrong. (hence, "It has all gone Wrong".

I'm Sorry Miss Jackson

Last night before heading to dinner with Matthew, we decided to stop by Bazzaar for a drink. Brandon hosts a weekly CD release party, and I have yet to stop by this event. Turns out it is quite fun. This week featured Roxy Music Remodeled, a recent release from Atlanta's own BasicLUX records. Several of the artists on this new CD were there, including Atlanta's own Madison Park. I posted several days ago how much I am loving the remix of their track "Ocean Drive". I mentioned this to my friend Brandon (a Billboard DJ) and he didn't even know what I was talking about....oh well. Very cute crowd I might add.

Then it was off to dinner at Toast, and being such a nice evening, we decided to sit outside. Last night marked the beginning of this restaurant's Summer Menu, and I started with a lovely Silver Queen corn soup. My entree was a caramelized salmon with carrots and beets. The food was good and the servers were prompt and very knowledgeable about the wine list.

Anyone heard the house mix of Hollaback? What do you think??

And the jam is pumping, look at it get the crowd jumpin'

well, well, well....I didn't wake up this morning with gin on my breath, but possibly a tish' of regret. But, it was all fun. Let's rewind.

Friday evening Bret and I gathered at my place for cocktails and conversation. We needed to catch up, and that we did. Cliff and Steve FINALLY made it to my condo after a 30 minute elevator ride (in the wrong tower I might add), and we decided to walk over to Acapulco for some dinner and margaritas. The food was just fine and the service was excellent. I am a really big on service, even if the food is mediocre. It can make or break a dining experience in my opinion. After a couple of pitchers and some enchiladas, we walked back to my place for a drink, then headed to Blake's to meet up with Erik. Erik was nowhere to be found, and the crowd in Blake's was not doing it for me. Since it was a beautiful evening, we decided to take our chances and walk over to WetBar. Well, there were about five people in the entire place, and so we left. What has happened to Atlanta nightlife? I can remember when people would line up in front of this bar before Midnight, everyone dressed in the latest 4you and FCUK shirts, ready to drink and mingle. I am afraid those days are gone.

Chris and I had lunch on Saturday and in the afternoon I visited with some old friends. Stopped by Todd and Brad's house for an afternoon margarita and a bite of pizza. They moved that morning to a fabulous house in Ansley, and it was a beautiful day to celebrate the move.

Saturday night brought the return of Roger Sanchez to Eleven50. Jeffrey, Brad, Anthony, Kelli, and Holger all came over for a drink, and after much failed persuasion, it was just three of us that ventured out. When we arrived, we were greeted by a line of 30 people that was not moving. Turns out, the fire marshall was inside, doing an inspection (at 12:30am on a Saturday night no less), and the hot straight bouncers were not letting anyone in. After standing in line for almost 25 minutes, the fire marshall left, and we scooted inside. The club was filled with a nice mix of gay and straight, and the music was great. Having never heard Roger live, I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, he delivered a great set, what I would probably call Hard House, but not really that progressive. Highlights for me included a great remix of Holmes Ives "8 letter", Harry Choo Choo Romero's "Back in the Day", and DONS featuring Technotronic "pump up the Jam" - Gians crowd in jumpin' mix. Though some may say this song is tired and overplayed, this mix really had the crowd in Eleven50 going nuts, and the energy was awesome. I have heard it was a big tune at the Winter Music Conference in Miami back in March.

And then there was Sunday. Not knowing what the weather was going to do...you know the generalizms of "AM clouds, PM sun" was just not convincing me. So, I decided to set up inside at Shout, and that turned out to be a great idea. Though the crowd wasn't as large as expected (I am sure the weather had something to do with this), we had a real real good time. The assistant made his appearance as well as a special appearance by Baton Bob. The rain ended, the sun came out, and I finished off a decent set. Highlight included goodbye kiss from the damn assistant.

Next, came dinner at Zocalo, more drinks at Blakes, and some Kwality time with Erik. And another great weekend has come to a close.

Nickle Bag Da Funk

As much as this blog is about my life, I must admit that part of my reason in taking on this challenge was to share my interest in music with everyone that visits my site. So, I thought a list of the top tunes I am feeling at the moment is in order. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Steve Mac - That Big Track
I totally slept on this tune the first time around, then I played it a few weeks ago @Shout and it got a lot of attention. What a beautiful track. Word is, they are adding a vocal to this already perfect track and are calling it "Loving you More".

2. Martin Solveig - Everybody
From the guy who brought you "Rockin Music", this song in its original form is very difficult to mix into a set. The DJ friendly edit, however, fits nicely.

3.Madison Park - Ocean Drive (Lenny B's extended Club Mix)
This group from Atlanta that released a full length album one year ago returns with a remix by Lenny B. The original CD is great, with one track titled "Boutique" written for none other than John McDonald that owns Twelve here in Midtown. Don't confuse this group with Madison Avenue.

4.Freemasons - Love on my Mind
This disco tune has received much remix action in the past several months. I have both the King Unique remix as well as the extended remix on vinyl, both out on Loaded Records. Top tune.

5.Andrea Britton - Am I on your Mind (Steve Porter Remix)
This old Backstreet tune has received the proper remix treatment from none other than Boston's Steve Porter. Such a nice blend of house and progressive, sure to fit into any set with ease.

6.C-mos - 2 million ways (Axwell remix)
Loved this track the minute I heard it. Kind of funky, with that spoken male vocal.

7.Moby - Lift me up (Mylo Remix)
It seems that any track that Mylo remixes is a hit, and this is no exception. Though very simple and minimalistic, this is the perfect spring/summer track to make you feel good and want to dance.

8.Granite & Phunk - My heart (Seamus Haji and Paul Emanuel remix)
Absolutely loving this track out on Big Love records. I am a huge fan of both the artist and the remixers in this case. Seamus Haji is on a role this spring.

9.New Order - Jetstream (Tom Neville Remix)
New Order returns with a hot new tune with remixes by Tom Neville and The Thin White Duke (aka Jacque Le Cont) to name a few. Sure to be a big summer hit.

10.Axwell - Feel the Vibe (Seamus Haji remix)
I have been rocking the original of this track for many months, and it seems that Seamus again can do no wrong. Very similar sound to his remix of "Last night a DJ saved my life" with that catchy damn bassline.

11.Bush 2 Bush - Piano Track
Any track these days with piano and/or guitars is a winner in my book, and this is no exception. I first heard this song on a set from Desyn Masiello live from Nikki Beach at the WMC in Miami this past March. Set to be released next month, this is sure to be a summer anthem.

12.Moby - Raining Again (Steve Angello remix)
Wow, what a tune. Brand new in the house music world, this song has a very Eric Prydz electro 80's feel, and it fucking rocks!

13.Weekend World - Rainchimes
With not a lick of a vocal, this is a really beautiful track I recently discovered after hearing my friend Jefferson Tyler's new mix for Frisco Sessions. Proper tune.

14.The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Thin White Duke remix)
Again, a track that is best enjoyed in a large club with a great sound system. My friend Brandon Sutton told me about this track several months ago, and I just wasn't impressed until I heard Sander Kleinenberg end his set at Eleven50 with this tune. Awesome.

15.Polyphonics feat. Hasina Sheik - Nightlights (Seamus Haji Vocal Mix)
I have been rocking this tune at Shout for months and it has received much support. Perfect T-Dance tune. Happy, vocal , uplifting.

16.Tim Hudson - The Man with the Yellow Shoes
I just discovered this track, and it is very reminiscent of "Hoochie Coochie Man" out a few years back. Very light and summery feel. Love it.

17.Alex Gaudino and Jerma pres Lil' Love - Little Love
I have really enjoyed anything remixed or produced by this guy, and this hot new tune is no exception. Proper house track.

18.Poker Pets - Lovin' You (ATFC remix)
I have been reading about this track for month, and finally it gets released.

19.Max Graham - Does she know Yet
Ever since his recent remix of Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart, Max Graham has become one of my favorite progressive House DJs. He maintains a nice house feel with a progressive edge without becoming too dark and monotonous. Check this out of fo sho.

20.Dab Hands - Super Good
I don't know why I like this track, but it must be because of the catchy guitar riff. After a few listens, this track will grow on you.

So that's it, just a few of the tunes in my arsenal of big music. Come hear me this weekend and Shout and I may throw in a few here and there.

Layta-
JT

Dream a Little Dream

What a beautiful damn weekend. It seems like Spring has FINALLY arrived in Atlanta, though yesterday was borderline hot. I hope it stays this way for a little while, though I fear we shall see upper 80's in the near future.

It was a quiet weekend for me as I was on call, but I was able to get errands accomplished and make a little money at the same time.

My friend Jefferson Tyler filled in for me at Shout yesterday so I could spend some time with my family, and word is, he did a great job. Though I did hear the party wasn't well attended, but that is to be expected with it being Mother's Day weekend and all. Dinner at the parental units was great, and I came home with enough leftovers for a couple of days, including a couple of pieces of homemade Key Lime Pie....my absolute favorite. Dropped by my sister's house for a glass of wine and some quality time with my niece. She turns four today, and I am amazed how quickly she is growing up.

Busy, busy week for me. Must get cracking' on a new CD. The assistant is coming over with some hot new tunes he picked up in London and Paris. Maybe we shall turn out a new CD in the process? I hope so.

Had the strangest dreams this weekend, and I am rarely able to remember my dreams. What do they all mean?

My Heart

If you like house music, then you probably know of Big Love Records. Unfortunately, a certain Billboard DJ I am friends with has never heard of its founder Seamus Haji. Seamus started DJing at the young age of 16, and has gained popularity over the past 10 years as a fine house DJ. I have enjoyed most all of his remixes, and his production work is top notch. Not only does he remix other artists using his real name, but there are several other personalities that he takes on such as 11th dimension, mekkah, and big bang theory to name a few. I love how these DJs will remix an artist under a surname, often times revealing a different sound under these names. This keeps them from being pigeonholed into one category or genre of music. v.v. cool. anywho, Seamus Haji has remixed Granite & Phunk's (another great DJ duo) new song "My Heart" and you can listen to a clip here. Me likey.

Damn it Charles, I don't need wine, but I do Want some.

Last night's birthday dinner for Ty was much fun. A small group gathered for drinks before heading off to One Midtown Kitchen. It was a very eclectic group I might add, as there were people present from every generation, with ages ranging from 29 - 65. As I stood there in the kitchen, I realized how truly unique a situation it was. Here you had 6 gay guys sharing experiences in their lives and telling stories of how they came to know the birthday boy. It was very entertaining.

Each time I have been to dinner at One, it has been extremely crowded and we usually end up sitting down to eat at 10pm. Turns out that Tuesday nights are a great night to dine, as the restaurant was only 1/4 full. And, the service was impeccable. We were greeted to chilled champagne the minute we sat down. The food was excellent, and we proceeded to go through several bottles of a delicious cabernet with our main course.

This morning I realized why I awoke with a headache. Recalling the night before, I now remember drinking, red wine, white wine, champagne, and finishing the night off with ouzo. neat.
and it's only Wednesday?

When it rains, it pours..

Another weekend has passed me by, and it's mornings like today that I wish I could take Monday off. Funny how time seems to fly by when you are having so much fun....and fun it was.

I spent the better part of Friday night working on a new CD. After several attempts, I took a break, but I have managed to find a good tracklist to work with. I plan on perfecting it this week, I promise.....no, really I do.

Met my sister, brother-in-law, and niece at Nuevo Laredo Cantina for lunch on Saturday. Since I was feeling better, we decided that a pitcher of margaritas was in order. And they were tasty, and the food wasn't bad either. Knocked out several errands on my list in the afternoon, including mother's day gifts for my mom and sister. They are going to love it.

Had drinks at Bazzaar on Saturday night as a going away/farewell to David as he is moving to Los Angeles on Thursday. The regulars were there, including CQ, Anthony, Kelli and Laurie. Next, headed over to 981 Lindbergh for a skinny before heading over to the 'tic. Todd and I weren't feeling it, so after about 20 minutes, we went back to his house to have more drinks. The clan finally arrived, and he then went to the after party at John and Dan's house. This party featured DJ Gustavo Matto from New York, and he was hot, hot hot. And very nice as well.

Sunday was simply beautiful, and a perfect day to drink on the patio at Shout. After working out some technical issues with the sound, I was able to successfully tap into their sound system, so i was really pleased. The crowd was beautiful as usual. Where do these guys come from? A certain Rob had his mind made up that he was going to get me drunk...and he did. On 5 or 6 margaritas. So (tr)Ashley and I decided that we would meet everyone at Blake's for one more drink or four. I don't know what was in the air last night, but it seems that Spring has finally arrived in Atlanta. The place was packed, and JohnBrown and I had a lot of fun up in there. Erik aka "Mr. Hands" was having a BIG time ifyouknowwhatimean...hehe. It was all innocent fun....and fun it was.

And all of my Senses Tell me Danger

So today is the first day I have felt like a real person. I mean, I am still not functioning at 100%, but at least I can hear equally out of both ears. And that is a good thing, especially when you are a DJ and rely on your ears to help you spin.

Some random things I am diggin':

• my hand made Italian bowls I received for my birthday
• Anything produced or remixed by Stonebridge
• The double hair pump, hot, 6'3" sales rep in town from Portland, Oregon. He was Cruisey McCruiserton today and he's in town for the weekend......
• The new Fischerspooner CD...Quality.
• Steve Porter's new track "Drama Queen".

That's all folks. Oh, and remember, it takes more than one night to create a masterpiece, but I promise, new music is on the way.....ahem.

It's Gonna be a Lovely Day

Sunrise...

I know I have posted about this before, but only a picture can really describe what I am talking about. Words only go so far. This is the sunrise I witnessed upon return from the gym this morning. It is mornings like this that put a smile on my face and allow me to realize how beautiful our world really is.

Farewell to Tammee

You know, it's hard to believe that Tammee is actually leaving. It was almost one year ago when the infamous "night out" occurred, which ended with the sun rising over the "BYOB" pool on Melante. That was also the night that I was named Mistee Marinara. And to think it all started with a phone call from Walt saying "Wanna Purty?".




Mistee and Tamee

I think my connection with Walt aka Tamee McGriff centered around how much alike we are. He always tells me that if he had a younger brother (which he does, but is straight), I would be him. We can be devilish when we drink, but it is all in good fun. The only problem is we sometimes have no "off" switch, which can be scary. But it isn't just Tamee I will miss, as Philip will be leaving as well. Vickee can be the life of a party, and somehow, I have managed to patent his dance moves over the past two years, along with Marks, Walts, JohnBrown's, Bret's....well, just about anyone I know.

So, this isn't a goodbye to Walt and Philip, but more of a so long and see you soon. I will miss you two, but leave an extra bedroom available, because I will be down to visit soon.

Against my Window

Well, I thought I was on the road to recovery from this sinusitis/chest cold until the rain came. Now, my ear is stopped up again...again. And, I finally realized that I am speaking very loudly because of it. I am really tired of being sick.

If you get a chance, pick up Ben Watt's new CD compilation Buzzin Fly Volume 2. It rocks. Especially track # 5 by Sofian Rouge. The song is called "Wahrania", and it has violins and chanting in it. Me likey. You can purchase this CD here. Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel better...

Sippin' on a Tall Boy

Hold Please...

After starting off the weekend feeling sick and tired, I came to a realization. I am a terrible patient: whinny, and constantly demanding sympathy from others around me. And to think that I take care of people every day? Thank God I am rarely sick, or my friends and family would officially be over me by now.

Friday was rather low key. Spent the evening with an old friend. A delicious asian-inspired meal was served. I called it an early evening as I still wasn't feeling right, and I was beginning to lose my hearing in one ear.

Saturday was very deceiving. What start started out as a warm spring morning, quickly turned into a windy autumn afternoon. Met up with Anthony, Kelli, and CQ for a stroll through the Inman Park festival. We stopped by Su's table where I picked up a beautiful piece of art for Becky. Next, we checked out the InmanPalooza festival complete with Jam Bands, free beer (poured directly from the Sweetwater beer truck, and a plethora of cute gay boys dispersed amongst the noodling' hippies.

Saturday night I made the journey to Cumming, Georgia for Becky's birthday. It was breeder city, as we arrived just in time for the cutting of the cake. It was nice seeing all of Becky's family in attendance, and her friends were a riot. Her one friend Amy from Charleston is a 6'2" heavier version of Molly Shannon. I cannot wait to visit them in Charleston. Becky loved her new artwork, and we left just as the bottle of Yaggermeister went dry. Headed back into the city, and I couldn't believe that the entire trip was 86 miles. And to think that I work with people who make this drive everyday.

Sunday was also beautiful, but the wind made it feel very chilly. My weekly gig at Shout started at 4pm, and we made the executive decision that I would setup inside. Although not as well attended as previous weeks, we still managed to have just over 200 people.

After hauling my equipment upstairs, I ended my weekend with a pint of PBR and a VJO.

Wheezy McWheezerton

So I made it through the 5000+ pollen count days without a problem..until now. When i woke up Monday morning, I noticed that my throat was a bit scratchy. I went about my regular work week of catching up on needed sleep, going to the gym, and trying to eat healthy foods. Then yesterday came and everything came to a standstill. I was congested, and coughing incessantly. My throat was raw from all of the coughing. So, I visited my doctor whose office is upstairs at Piedmont. "Sunshine", the woman who works the Nurseline, told me to come up immediately, as they had an opening. (It always helps to tell them that you work in the hospital for future reference).

My doctor is gay, and a good friend. He sat down and we chatted for a minute about what is going on in each other's lives. Then he started his assessment, which last all of 3 minutes. He told me my throat was red, but he didn't see any visible pustules. He decided it would be best to go ahead and test me for strep throat anyway. He pulled out the 10 inch Q-tip and proceeded to swab the back of my throat and uvula several times.

He says "This is really going to test your gag reflex". I reply, "Go for it". Now, I admit I wanted to gag a few times, but I didn't. I held back. When he finished, he replied "You are pretty good at that". I just smiled and said "I have had a little practice". We both laughed and he went to finish the test. This was very humorous to me, as I wouldn't ever have had this incident occur if my doctor were straight.

Turns out, I don't have step throat. And all I was sent home with was an inhaler. But I still feel like shit. Plus, I had to cancel my DJ lesson with the Assistant. Damn. Oh well, the weekend is upon us.

Practice makes perfect

Me on the decks

Yes it's only Wednesday, but Sunday will be here before you know it. Must get new music, must practice, must get new outfit.......

next up: dj 101 with my new assistant. That doesn't suck.

hey neighbor

I live in a rather large condo building, but after being a resident almost 2 years, I feel like I have seen almost everyone that lives here. That is, until this evening. On my way back from the grocery store, I parked in my assigned spot as I usually do. I decided that I could carry all of my groceries w/my hands, deciding to ditch the idea of using a grocery cart. As I was approaching the building to gain access to the elevator, I noticed him. He was talking on his phone, and he noticed that my hands were full of overloaded plastic bags, and he held the door for me. Once inside, I glanced over to see this tall, dark, and handsome man. Wearing a cute black T-shirt that advertised some gym, he looked like a DJ. Oh yes, that kind of Danny Howells look, complete with black leather wristband. Jet black hair, extremely tall (probably 6'3" if I had to guess), and then I noticed those big arms. I immediately became nervous, and was ready for the elevator door to open. Moments later, we entered the elevator, and he punched in a code, and guess what?.....he pushed floor 15...MY FLOOR. Now I was intrigued. Where has this guy been the past two years? Is he a resident? (note: he didn't use his key fob) Someone's boyfriend? Friend? As I exited the elevator and headed toward my condo unit, I glanced over......and he lives 3 doors down.

Let the Sunshine In

Well, another amazing weekend has come and gone. It has been a long time since I have had this much fun. Let's reCAP, shall we?

Had sushi with Scott on Friday night, then spent a few hours mixin' records at his place. You see, this was a big weekend for me (in terms of DJ'ing), and I was out of practice. So we hit the decks and took turns mixing back and forth, showcasing our new vinyl picks.

Spent the majority of the day on Saturday preparing for the birthday bash for JohnBrown. Bret and I were able to complete all assigned tasks, including stringing the disco ball outside in order to create a "dancefloor" on his patio. And it worked, trust me. Saturday was such a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and still a little nip in the air, a crispness that felt nice. The air turned colder, however, once the sun went down. But I persevered and managed to spin from 8pm until almost 2am. The party was a huge success, hot boys, good music, great friends, good times. I really loved looking out on Bret's patio at 1am to seem 25 of my friends dancing like there were in a club.

And then there was Sunday. This had to be the most beautiful day Atlanta has seen this spring. My gig was a Shout from 4-8pm, and after some technical difficulties with the sound, everything was okay. The crowd started filling the upstairs terrace by 5pm, and I remember looking out at everybody standing along the railing, talkin', drinkin', and socializing. And, for a moment, it ALMOST felt like we were standing at the Boat Slip in P-Town. I guess this party is the closest thing Atlanta could call a T-Dance. And it was fun. Beautiful crowd. A few dancing queens where were having a big time. Then there was my hot DJ assistant who assisted me several times during the afternoon. Couldn't get any better than that.....well, maybe a little better.

After breaking into the 16 minute extended Thunderpuss mix of Miss Houston's "It's not right, but it's okay", I had several people request Deborah Cox. And I thought I was introducing house music to these people? Go figure.

Do I look Like a Slut?

no way, no ma'am, no how. This week has flown by for me. maybe it's because I have had 8 hours of sleep a night. maybe it's because I haven't had a drop of alcohol...well, except for Monday night at Bret's. maybe it's because i have gone to the gym each day. maybe because i have been masturbating regularly. whatever the reason, i just feel great this week. and the weekend is upon us, and I couldn't be happier. the forecast is beautiful, and i am ready for some fun.

this weekend marks the return of jolene, a birthday party for johnbrown, and my weekly gig at shout. i think tomorrow calls for a full day of beauty: a mani, pedi, and a cut. watch out boys.

One Word

To this day, it still amazes me how much music is really out there. And I mean all genres. I keep up to date on house music by perusing music message forums. Here, people from all of the world discuss new pieces of vinyl they picked up at their local record stores, hot remixes from the top producing djs worldwide, and obscure, white labels that are often difficult to find. And still, there are thousands of records and tracks that go unheard.

I have been reading a lot about Kelly Osbourne lately. Seems that her next record will be a dance album, as she is ditching the rock n roll for an entirely different sound. Her first single "One Word" has already been remixed by Chris Cox among others. If you remember Chris Cox, he was 1/2 of Thunderpuss, a very successful DJ duo that included Barry Harris as his sidekick. They remixed hundreds of songs that later became gay anthems in clubs across the world. Remixes of Whitney, Madonna, and Mary J Blige. In 2003, they decided to split apart and pursue solo projects. And to be honest, I have never cared for any of Chris's remixes...until now. One word is simply a beautiful track, and Chris has taken a nice "house avenue" and straying away from his signature "harder, diva style" sound. This track will have to get much play this weekend, so listen out!

Back in the day

I know it has been a while since my last post. And I have had much to talk about, but I guess I was just taking a break. Trying to figure out where I was going with this blog. After talking with Erik last night, I realized that this is a web log of my life, however funny or sad or stupid it may be. If you don't like what i write, don't read it.

I awoke this morning feeling quite refreshed, despite the 4+ glasses of white wine I consumed last night at Bret's. The group gathered for a spring cookout to celebrate his 39th birthday. The topic of conversation of the night centered around the festivities that occurred on Sunday. And the general consensus was that Monday was a bit of a struggle....

I have been in the medical field for almost 6 years. And, I have seen some really outrageous things. You wouldn't believe the conversations that take place during lunch in any hospital lounge. Today, I was involved in a highly specialized procedure called an Alcohol Septal Ablation. We perform about 15-20 of these procedures a year. On my way to the Pharmacy to pick up some of the medications we needed, I look down to see written on the pharmacy slip: (2) Amyl Nitrate.....hmm.... I knew exactly what that was. In fact, I believe one could purchase this from a vending machine at Backstreet many years ago. After much attitude from the lispy Pharmacist, I returned back to the Cath Lab with Amyl Nitrate in hand. As I walked in the door, I said, "Well, I have the Poppers". The physician scrubbed in on the procedure just laughed.

It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?

After my Friday ritual of sorting through new tunes at Satellite, I headed over to dinner at Todd and Brad's. The grilled tuna steaks were heavenly, accompanied by steamed broccoli and rice. I really wish I knew how to cook. Hoping for a quiet Friday night, the word "Heretic" was mentioned, and before you know it, I was on the dancefloor with 200 other queens. The place was packed, and a lot of fun. The hot boy from San Francisco that decided to hang out with us all night was a delight. And, of course, we stayed until the lights came on...pretty. And then it was off to chez moi for a little more fun. Note: Astroglide Gel should be called Astroglide paste. Frequent applications are needed...

After checking out the space at Shout on Saturday, we headed over to a housewarming party at Jeffrey's. It was great to see some old faces from the past and catch up over cocktails. His house looked really beautiful.

Next, we headed to Decatur for a birthday party for Rob and Brett. The place was filled with A-listers who all appeared well groomed in new shirts from Bloomingdales. Pretty boys indeed.

Then it was time for Sander Kleinenberg at Eleven50. We all "dropped" in at the say time, and soon were were shaking it to several 80's remixes on the dancefloor. Special guest appearances by my cute new DJ friend William and Brandon Sutton provided for much entertainment. As well as the big girl on the box in Gap Jeans...or the girl on the opposite box with hail damage on her legs. The visuals were okay, but I didn't pay much attention to them. I was happy to hear The Killers - Mr. Brightside as we walked out....very cool tune.

I spent the better part of Sunday morning running last minute errands before my debut at the new Sunday afternoon party "Out and About at Shout". After a few technical issues, I think I spun a descent set, and was even asked to spin past the 8pm hour. The place was crowded, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. I know I did. The next party is April 18, and I am hoping this might become a regular gig...

Boys night out

Last night the "Thump" party at Eleven50 was fun, though poorly attended. And it couldn't have anything to do with the wet, rainy, 38 degree weather in the middle of March. But you can never predict the weather in Atlanta, just ask Karen Minton. Jason Jones spun a great set, though it was a little hard toward the end. Though I haven't heard any feedback today, I am sure that this party has a lot of potential, especially with spring only a few weeks away. And the outside area of Eleven50 is a great space to sip cocktails and socialize. But that just wasn't the case last night. I still managed to have a good time. After several Ciroc vodka cocktails, I mysteriously found myself shirtless on the Heretic dancefloor with some boy's hands down my pants. Go figure.

New York you always bring it out in us

After a rather quiet weekend, I come to find that this week is going to be very busy. Dinner last night at MFsushi was lovely. The food was great but the company was even better. We laughed, we reminisced, we caught up. Somehow I felt like it was a Friday morning after Halo when I woke up, guess it was the two pitchers of Sake...

Tomorrow is the opening of Thump and I must say I am very excited. We have received a lot of press coverage, and I am hoping that a really diverse crowd will show up at Eleven50. Check out the article here.

The weekend is ahead. And I can't be more excited to be a part of "Out and about at Shout". I have been asked to spin this Sunday afternoon party over at Colony Square. The money raised will go to the Toy Party. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. More on this later.

Red Red Wine...

Last night was much fun. But I am paying for it today. I woke up this morning with a raging headache and red wine mouth. You know, that sticky, parched feeling you get after gulping glass after glass the night before? Well, this is how it all happened...

I stopped by Satellite Records on in Little 5 yesterday for a little therapy, I mean record shopping. I was greeted by my oh so cute dj friend Brett, and proceeded to spend two hours up in there going through about 60 records. Brett kept bringing record after record, and I must admit, I felt like a "big time dj". In fact, one guy in the store commented, "Brett, how come you don't bring me records to listen to?" He just replied, "I don't know what style of music you like."

After a bite of dinner and a quick change, Robert stopped by and we headed over to Mid City lofts for Brandon's birthday fete. The clubhouse up on the roof has one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline. It would make a great pool party......does anyone need a dj? The party was nice, and the red wine was flowing and flowing....and flowing.

Next, we popped into Halo. Unfortunately, it wasn't the same scene from the night before, but the music was cool. Very latin influenced, with a guy playing drums to the beat of the music. I enjoyed this, and have only seen this once before at MJQ.

I convinced Robert to brave the cold and walk a few blocks down to Bazzaar. You see, my friend Brett was spinning and I wanted to show him a little support. The place was near empty, and Brett smiled when he saw Robert and I approaching. Turns out the crowd was pretty lame last night, and he was a bit disappointed. After finishing his set, he sat down for a quick chat. We talked about music, parties, djs, and as you can imagine, I was in my element. And, I scored a couple of new cds!

So, that brings us to now. I really didn't think I was overserved last night, but I sure feel like it today. And it is really beautiful outside.

Let the sunshine in

When my cell phone alarm sounded at 4:45 this morning, I wanted nothing more than to hit snooze and drift back to sleep. Instead, I got up and headed to the gym, with new tunes on my mp3 player (or m3p player as Baton Bob calls it). I didn't realize that we were right at the freezing point until I got outside, but the brisk air was refreshing. You see, I really enjoy cold weather, and I know that we only have a few weeks before it gets warm in Atlanta (though I heard someone at work today tell me the current prediction (and I mean prediction) was for snow!).

When I arrived back home, I was greeted by one of the most beautiful sunrises. You see, I am usually well on my way to work before the sun clears the horizon, but today I didn't have to go in until after 9am, so I was able to enjoy this moment. I quickly grabbed my new digital camera in an effort to capture this on film. As I stood on my balcony with a cup of joe in hand, I realized what a beautiful view I have. The sun was just coming up and the outline of Stone Mountain in contrast with the various hues of purple, pink, orange and red was simply stunning. And it was really amazing to see how quickly this palette of colors was changing. It really put a smile on my face. And so my day really began.

hmm..., it does go well with the chicken

After my rare but much needed cathartic event last night, I have made some casual observations and come to a few conclusions"

• People in America are obese, morbidly obese.
• The Piedmont cafeteria serves fried chicken every single day. And we wonder why heart disease is the number one killer in America?
• Some people dress up to go to the gym, even going so far as to put product in their hair.
• I really do need a haircut.

Ever heard of Mylo? This guy is creating quite a stir in the music community. His remix of Moby - "Lift me Up" is excellent. BTW, I heard Moby will be appearing at the Tabernacle in a couple of months!

Oh, and I really do need a haircut.

Pop a cap in yo ass

Well, another weekend has come to an end. and, of course, I was exhausted today, mainly due to my insomnia and very strange dreams last night.

I spent a couple of hours at EDs records on Friday afternoon sifting through stacks of vinyl. Yes, I finally got my turntable back from Scott and have decided to devote some time to mastering the wax. And it has shown to be a lot of fun, yet very frustrating at the same time. Makes you have a lot of respect for these big house djs that layer track upon track without a hint of a gallop or a competing bassline. I'll get there one day, one day...

• New Ben Watt track "Pop a cap in yo ass" rocks, check out his record label.
• The follow-up track to "How would you feel" by David Morales titled "Here I am" is also very nice and housey with remix by Kaskade. Rumor has it that Atlanta just might see the return of Kaskade to a popular Wednesday night party in the future :)
• The track "Everything" from Kaskade's most recent album "In the Moment" should be released soon as a single on OM records. Sound clips can be heard at the website, or here.

Dinner at Robert's Friday night was very good. We talked, we drank red wine, we listened to music. We then headed to a party on Argonne Ave. in a beautiful home soon to be featured on the Midtown Tour of Homes. I caught up with some old friends and was in bed by 1am.

Anthony came over on Saturday for a little 'mixin on the turntables. I must tell you that he has become quite the mixmeister and I believe he may be ready to tackle the wax.

The gang congregated at Todd/Brad's on Saturday night for some 'roated' chicken and several bottles of red wine. A few of the boys headed out dancing at the Masquerade late in the night and I settled down for a long nap on Todd's couch. But, I did not wake up alone. I found Diane snuggling up next to me around 11am.

Dropped by Chris' house on Sunday for a cookout, but had to leave early to meet with my group from Thump. The party starts in just over a week, and I am getting very excited.

Now, back to my dream. I finally drifted off to sleep around 2 am. In the dream, I ended up at a Bath House in Taiwan with two guys from Atlanta. (from very different social circles) it's funny, I usually never remember my dreams. I wonder what it all means? Note: no nocturnal emission to speak of..

Or So the Story Goes

Well, I finally have my Jeep back. Did I tell you how much the repairs cost? A mere $851, but I'm not complaining, as it beats taking MARTA. Now there is a joke. As I stood on the street corner Wednesday morning in the 30 degree weather, watching all the hot construction men (and I mean men) going to work on the new tower of glass aka 'Spire', I realized how much I appreciated having a car. Now MARTA is SUPPOSED to run up and down Peachtree Street, with a bus arriving every 8 minutes. That was not the case Wednesday morning. After waiting for 40 minutes, I jumped on the first available bus, only to find it stops at Art Center Station only to go back downtown. To make a long and boring story short, I arrived late for work, and I left my condo over 60 minutes in advance. I shoulda just walked I guess, woulda been faster.

I found myself in an interesting conversation today at work with one of the vendors. We were discussing whether or not heart disease spans all socioeconomic backgrounds, as I have found in my experience that it is predominately uneducated patients from more rural and underdeveloped areas. That is not to say that we don't find the occasional Buckhead Betty with a blockage in her heart, or the occasional Ansley queen (though most of the gay guys are related to spasm from guess what? ....too much meth aka 'Linda' on the weekends). The majority of the patients who come to us are from the N. Georgia mountains, or Douglasville, or even better, Dallas. I call them "Paulding County specials". They normally have a high "tooth to tattoo ratio", nicotine stains between the first two fingers from their 3-4 ppd smoking habit, and are in very poor dental health. Now I know it isn't my place to judge these people. What I did identify was the lack of health education these people receive. Many still have the mentality that if you don't go to the doctor, or are never in the hospital, then you are healthy. What happened to preventative medicine? I guess we just need better community health resources and education, but I start to wonder if this will ever help. Okay, now I shall move on.

Turns out my favorite tune, Harry Peat - Affrodizziac, set to be released this past Tuesday, has been put on hold once again. I almost think it may never happen, but Jody over at Alternative Route is setting me up the the white label. It's gonna rock and shall make my next CD.

The new impulse is coming, and promises to be a lot of fun. Check out our website, for Thump! More info to come.

Is it Friday yet?

Ever have one of those days when you wish you could just go back to bed and start all over? Well, that would be today for me. I awoke completely congested. The first thing that came to mind was, "am I getting a sinus infection?" Probably attributed to all of the meetings with Wendell this past weekend. After realizing that I didn't have any food at home, I decided that I would leave for work early to stop by the cafeteria for breakfast. You can get eggs, bacon, and a biscuit at the Piedmont Hospital cafeteria for under $2.50. Now that is a deal.

As I went to crank my car, I found the battery to be dead. And I mean dead. Luckily, I spotted my friend Scott in the parking deck and he jumped me off, literally. I dropped my car off at the jeep dealer, only then realizing that is is 30 degrees outside, and I had to walk half a mile to the nearest MARTA bus stop. After waiting in 30 degree weather and flurries without a coat and major congestion, I finally caught a bus to work. What a fucking day. I was over it by 10am.

Now, I am back from my solo dinner at Stool Pigeons where an 18 year old (that works at the restaurant) sat with me and hit on me the entire meal. Lovely. Now, I am going to bed.